Pho & Goi Cuon

Come again?!?..ok, I admit it's something I just googled 'cos I wanted a cool heading. But it isn't working is it?


Vietnamese Beef noodles & Summer spring rolls.


If you come around to my place for dinner, you'd know I don't stick to a particular type of cuisine. I vary from craving to craving- which means it could be Indian one night and Italian the next. I'm also lucky my husband isn't one of those Asian men that need to have rice for dinner [not that there's anything wrong with them, just that my wife duties will be so dull if I had to stick to Chinese food and rice everyday- my problem completely].

So after viewing a few recipes, I thought this one was my favourite beef noodle recipe. I made it easy by throwing everything into a slow cooker and enjoying the divine smell lingering in my house the whole day. Its a pity that the beef here isn't up to par, because that would of made a huge difference.

What I love about Vietnamese food is how casually vegetables are thrown together- and it works. The colours, texture and tastes light up my eyes and taste buds. Its light. Refreshing..and that's what I love about Vietnamese spring rolls.

Care for a bite?


I just might try the Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup next. Wanna come?

Tumeric Raisin Rice

Don't blame me. I had a huge craving for carbohydrates and totally, completely, utterly gave in. Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless. Just when everyone is worried about global warming and volcanoes erupting I'm worried about carbs. Ah huh! 


And you know what? I've been on a spice spree. Ever since my curry encounter, I love spices in everything. I mean everything! I don't know about you..but I spent my weekend stealing my mum's food processor grinding  spices, onions, garlic, lemongrass and storing them in cute tupperwares. Awesome right?! Not. I just became obsessive. Obsessive compulsive.


Anyways..lets get back to some super easy rice cooker stuff:-


Rice Cooker Tumeric Rice


2 teaspoons tumeric powder
1 stick Cinnamon
Handful of Raisins
1 cup rice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon Butter


Throw everything into the rice cooker and tap your fingers anxiously. 


I served mine with microwave dried anchovies and curried eggplants. 


Ps. See my scrawly handwriting besides? I got that recipe somewhere online, and u'd note I omitted saffron and sugar, and lessened the butter. 

Pomegranates and other important stuff

Let's face it. My blog will never be about the trials and tribulations in my life. It will always revolve around food, craft or marriage..or something along those lines. So even if a put a picture of a pomegranate, I won't be telling you about my eventful morning without 6 hours of electricity- which meant 6 hours of no air-conditioning in a hot and humid country..which also means a grumpy and unsatisfied me. 

You still sticking with me? 

Because H knows I get grumpy in hot weather. He's learning to live with it. I nearly put it in the wedding vows..and it would of gone something like '..Will you H, take L to be your lawfully wedded wife? In hotness and in health, through happiness and gruff..' of which he'd have to say 'I do'.

And then theres the whole big storm and lighting thing last night which resulted to my lawn flooding and this constant rain drop dripping near my window. What's with that??! 

And how about the endless phone calls this morning..on the morning where I was already late to work because my gate jammed up on me?! Oh bother. Then!..I didn't even get my breakfast because I was all worked up? Shucks.

This is clearly not a day you want to mess with me. But I've blogged...and shared..and gonna get back to the important stuff.

Now.....

Where was I about pomegranates?.... 

Oh yes! I just wanted to tell you I love pomegranates..and I find it therapeutic to peel the thin yellow skin enveloping the pink flesh. My parents have a pomegranate tree in their backyard. Isn't that interesting?

3 beer bottles

H has a weird collection of collecting glass bottles. We've got clear ones, green ones, brown ones..you name it. I don't know why he collects them though, he doesn't use or recycle them. Its just one of life's mysteries.


I took the liberty of using them. I'm still thinking of what else I can do with them without looking like a rubbish collector. Or maybe one day I'll just secretly throw them out 'coz its invading my kitchen space- just like how I secretly throw his weird paper collection out and re-organize his hobby aeroplanes while he's out. I'm the most considerate wife! Really. 


What would he do without me? lol.


I'm sure he wouldn't miss them. Honest.

Best Bud's Cake

Who knew one cake could conjure up so many memories?


Whenever I see or taste a butterscotch cake, I think of one of my best buds. She bakes the best butterscotch cake! 


We were in a stage of our lives where we were both at crossroads. She was back in Perth for a good break and I was really just a newly graduated bum. We both weren't sure where we were headed next, both single and probably spent 50% of the time procrastinating, 25% talking about 'what ifs', 23% doing grocery shopping together and maybe 2% of the time looking for jobs and doing our resumes. 


We were crazy happy though, even having food gatherings just to use up free time. Roast lamb nights. Chicken Rice Nights. Fondues. Halo-halo.


Fast forward to year 2010- and she's happily married with a sweet new-born girl! I couldn't think of anyone more deserving.


So Paul, congrats again! ..And boy do I miss those times! Your butterscotch cake still remains as one of my personal favourites. Ps..you know how we spent so much time looking for molasses? You are sooo right!!...it tastes wrong without it- cos I thought I could skimp and use honey instead.

Cave-Woman meets City

Looking back at the last few entries, it seems like I've been living in a hole doesn't it? Everything revolves around my house and my kitchen and photos are getting generic- and things are most probably not gonna change any time soon.


But wait! H and I finally dragged ourselves out for a date night, one of our monthiversaries actually- more like, it gave us a reason to go out because we'd much rather lounge in our old overstretched pjs and vegetate than to do the whole kaboom of going out- make up, getting dressed..bleh!- I can definitely foresee age catching on! So on this rare occasion we actually dolled up a bit- but still ate like a caveman.

Avocado Best Western. H's favourite entree.

Seafood Cocktail- now I want a lemon squeezer too!

Beef. Chunky goodness.

Beef with flags. Cute flags. The flipped prawn bum tail is kinda cute too..in it's own contorted way. This dish had some fancy name..but can't they just call it Prawn + Wagyu Beef? 

Beef the way I like it.


We can't resist Wagyu. Heart its marbling and juicy meat. Awww.


If you want to eat like a caveman, just like us:


Grand Palace Hotel
Best Western Restaurant
Pelita Commercial Center, Miri.

Still Loving Weddings

There's just something about weddings that get to me- I go all gooey and wanna go 'awwww~!'.


A while ago I did some invitation mock-ups for my brother...but somehow all of us weren't satisfied with the outcome.-I think it was a case of idea overload. So after several attempts..I took a breather..and totally started afresh.


Here's a peek at their new and improved monogram [geez I sound like I'm selling a tv!]..and we're all loving it!

Now I want to do my own monogram too. Hmmm... But it would go something like CLY...which is pronounced cee-lee and basically equivalent to 'silly'. Great.

The Curious Case Of Vegetable X

Would you eat something you don't know? 


'Cos the story goes a little like this:


Mrs H goes to market. Vege-stall owner tells her about this flower-vegetable thats alike asparagus but soft, like chives but not as pungent and as sweet as onions. Mrs H doesnt have a clue what it is but buys it anyway because she is curious!. Mrs H shows Mr H vegetable 'x' and they still both don't know what it is. But..Mrs H still cooks and eats it anyway.


..And they both lived happily ever after...with no awkward toilet moments.


..And I'll let you in on this..I'm Mrs H. ....Durh.


So can someone tell me what it is??

I cooked it with mushrooms and oyster sauce. Is that how you're suppose to cook it? Is it like a lily flower of some sort? 


Tell. Tell. Do tell.

Leftovers

What do you do with leftover curry- the curry meant for the truckload of people and didn't get finished?

Exhibit A- Get some nice warm bread and dunk it into the rich curry gravy

Exhibit B- Feed the dogs. Real dogs silly. Do dogs eat curry?


Exhibit C- Make curry puffs? Which I didn't make because I was plain lazy.

Exhibit D- Forget about it and go eat ice cream?


Or..you can choose all of the above.

Mrs Strawberry

Its rare to get lushious strawberries here. They're all imported from Australia or Genting and not that sweet. But I crave them..so much so I'd buy them for 22 bucks! 


And if you think RM22 is expensive...it's a special discounted price where I unleashed my inner-aunty abilities to sweet talk the fruit seller at the markets. [I'm currently a proud housewife with a RM4 discount!..and boasting about it!!]


Good gawdddd..I need a life!

Many Many

During Easter, H and I managed to invite a truckload of people to our place. Well..in simple terms, we held a family get-together come official housewarming with a few of my relatives. Oh boy do we have heaps of relies!! The 50+ relies were all from my mum's side, I couldn't invite all of the relies from my dad's side..and after much deliberation, we didn't invite all of H's relies either because they've previously been to our place.


I knew I couldn't possibly cook for 60-70 people, so most of the food was catered. I only put myself in charge of desserts and easy stuff like pizza, garlic bread and curry chicken. But I wish I took more photos. You should of seen the food- the satays- the stir fried noodles! OMG!


Everything was in abundance and my fridge has never been this full!. ..Thank goodness the caterers took care of the dishes and cleaning up!


I only got the chance to take some pics of the sweet stuff, then I got really busy and forgot everything..

Vanilla Cupcakes: frosted with buttercream, chocolate ganache. These were a hit with the kiddies! ..And note the really demented cupcake at the top left corner- what a blob!!

Cheesecake Slices topped with peaches. Confession: They were originally going to be fruit tarts..but after doing like 2 tarts, I figured it was too time consuming and swapped the whole idea. Opps.

Now ..did I mention I needed to to heaps of each?..OMG...don't think we're having this many people over for ages.

The 3 year wait and 4 year promises

Many years ago a evil bunny promised me a easter egg.


He also promised me if I came back he'd chuck me a barbecue. [geez i'm easy to please!]


He also promised me he'd bring me to see Disney on Ice.


To which this evil bunny has never attempted. Hmph. And too bad Easter is around the corner..'cos it made me remember everything.


Ps. I'll always remember the wedding speech scenario too. Its one that the kids will get to hear repeatedly.


Pps. A Happy Easter to you all non-evil bunnies!


Ppps. Don't you like knowing my personal relationship issues?


xoxo
The grumpy wife.

El Cheapo Deco

My entrance foyer looked a little bit bare. 


..And I presume I had my thinking cap on this particular weekend. So with these 4 things, I spruced it up a little.

I stapled all the corners into the foam and within thirty minutes, my 'art work' was done.

I don't know how long I'd like them..but its so easy to change/redo- just take the fabric off, put another fabric on and arrange in a different manner. OR..I was thinking when I get sick of them, they can be pin-up boards in my home-office:). 


If you need some el-cheapo sprucing up heres what I used:


Approx 2.5cm thick Foam (cut to your preferred size) 
Scissors 
Stapler
Fabric to your liking


Just cut the fabric to size, making sure it can wrap around the foam. Staple around the edges on the back, making sure corners are tucked in. Ta-daa! If you want something more permanent..maybe you'd use some glue too..but I haven't tried that.


I also adhered them to the wall with 3m mounting tape..the type you can pull off without damaging your walls. They work really well.


And just incase you're wondering...my vases are Ikea lamps that didn't work out for my kitchen..so I flipped them around and now they're vases...or maybe I'll make them into some sort of light installation later. hehe.

Sunday Lunches

Sunday is our lazy day and I don't like sticking to particular schedules or limit myself on anything. 


Which brings me to Sunday lunch. A lunch that mainly falls in weird hours that's potentially : brunch, high tea..or nearly dinner for that matter. H and I just get occupied with other things that hunger doesn't strike until a queer  time.


So when it does strike..we need food fast and that normally equates to some weird stuff. 


And on this particular weekend- we had leftover cheesecake and watermelon.


Just thought you'd like to know our gastronomy.


SOoo nutritious! Sooooo healthy! Soooo Sunday.

Personalised Paper Clips

These are currently rocking my world! They're ruling my paper universe right now and nearly promoting me to a 'organised' status. Come filing day and I'll just put them into their respective folders- and incase you ask why I don't just file things straight away...,.. I just don't.Enuff said.


Anyways..Nifty right?


On one of the rare moments my brain was half functioning on a weekend [dreaded Sunday come Monday blues sort of weekend mind you] - I got inspired by some kikki-k paper clips and decided to make my own personal set for our home-office.

I proclaim it as my Martha Stewart moment!


To make them I just got myself two things:

Paper Clips
Rub Ons


Done in a jiffy. Lurve! Imagine the possibilities..You could even place stickers, print labels or use permanent markers if it tickles your fancy.


My life is so much better with them, my husband now loves me more [no..not really. I made that up] ..the world is just a better place with labelled clips k? You know it.

A date

I haven't been on a date ..not a 'first date'..for..well, ever since I met H. 


I got so nervous, everything was so spontaneous..and sooo many flashes went through my mind.


What happens if we don't click?
Would I seem weird?
What shall I say?
....




..And before you jump into any conclusions... the date was with... a girl. Yes, you heard me. A girl!


So why did I go kinda nuts and super nervous? Because I only knew Marlene through her blog. ..Then one day a mutual friend introduced us and as fate would have it, we ended up having a spontaneous lunch/ bloggers date...alone.


And you know what? Marlene is the sweetest girl! We had so much to talk about and time went by so fast!


Anyways.. as a meet up gift I decided to make her some French Chocolate Cake- Its a bake that never fails me and which girl doesn't like a dose of chocolate?

But you know my other dilemma? I ended up packing the cake into a take-away container because I didn't have a single cake box in my kitchen [sooooo organised!!] - And here I am presenting it to a creative graphic designer. Hmph. Grrr. - Sorry Marlene.


Hope she enjoyed it- but ahhh..you know the important thing? I've made a new friend.


Ps. If you hope over to her blog you'll see a freakish picture of me. Sorry about that- the last I checked, I looked slightly better on a smaller phone screen. 

Going Japanese

This has got me going consecutively for the last two days- I've eaten three meals with the exact salad because I'm in love with a Japanese inspired salad dressing. Go figure- I get obsessive sometimes.


The beauty is, you can make the dressing and keep it up to a week in a fridge AND has no oil! Perfect.

Japanese Dressing
1/2 Cup Rice Vinegar (They normally use Mirin, but I couldn't get my hands on it so I just use Chinese Rice Vinegar)
2 Tbsp Raw Sugar (Any sugar will do..I was just trying to be healthy)
1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Shoyu (Soya Sauce)
1 Shallot


Bring all ingredients to a boil. [Easy Huh?] Cool before using.


Serve with any vegetables of your choice. I used:
Salad Vegetables: Tomato, Parsley
Topping: Sesame Seed, Bonito Flakes, Seaweed. 

The Ungrateful Wife

Is it our anniversary? No thats past.

Is it when we started dating? Thats no-where near.

Its not my birthday,.. nor his.

Hmm.....Oh NOOOO! He chucked a Tiger on me!!

Those thoughts, those exact thoughts ran through my mind when I received this lovely bouquet of flowers. [and wouldn't you like to have a sneek peek at my office too?!]  

I know the last thought is totally absurd but it still randomly entered my mind. [I'm just being honest here!]

The flowers didn't have a card either...they were just stunning fresh flowers- with a smell so divine I don't mind having hayfever from it ..for now.

So I texted H..and it read somewhere along the lines of :

Did u just send me flowers? * Big smile. What a sweet surprise :)...Well, if d flowers aren't from u I must have a secret admirer.


In total SMS format...tee hee. And take note..I didn't even say 'thank you'..how rude!


Ps. I still don't know what they're for yet...hmmm.... I just have to figure it out I guess.

Planting Trees

It's been a busy week- planting trees, doing gardening and landscaping. 


Not the real- hands on type..the design and draw type. The AutoCad and Photoshop-ping type. I think it's just as tedious as planting real trees. Well, nearly- just that I don't need to dig holes or fertilize it and I get instant trees.


The only physical garden thing I did was pull out some weeds and sprayed some 'Weed n Feed' on my own lawn.


But I reckon it falls into the same genre.

Dinner-In-A-Box Recipe

This post is for you Paul....

If this attracted you last time, then its here I present to you Fettucine Carbonara aka H's Spaghetti Carbonara. Which essentially- can be done by any first time cook.

I originally wrote everything here..

But I dont's think its quite a recipe when I've put everything together and didn't write down any measurements. They're specific though...so much so I think only H would understand it totally- I totally refined it down to my pots and pans!

So here's a refined version:

H's Spaghetti Carbonara (serves 2)

Grab approx 2.5cm diameter of fettucine/spaghetti (or any pasta)

1 medium sized onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Dash of Rosemary/Italian Herbs
2 pieces Bacon, cut into squares
6 White Mushrooms, trimmed at the end and sliced
200ml cream
6 Tablespoons Parmesan Cheese
1 Teaspoon Salt to taste
1 egg

1. Boil approx 2 liters water in a pot.
2. Place all pasta in boiling water and add a pinch of salt.
3. Cook pasta for 15-20 minutes or until al dente.

4. In a medium sized pan, gently saute the onions, rosemary/italian herbs, garlic and bacon until fragrant.
5. Add mushrooms. Reduce heat and add in parmesan cheese, salt and cream, mixing until even.
6. Turn off heat. Add one egg and stir quickly. The heat from the sauce will cook the egg.
7. Taste and add additional salt/parmesan cheese if needed. If sauce is too dry, add in some milk.
8. Stir sauce into pasta before serving, top with parmesan cheese if preferred.

Once again, bon apetite.